Lane Transit District Express Lanes Transform Santa Clara Into Eugene Commuter Hub

The Oregon Department of Transportation awarded Lane Transit District a $52 million contract on July 2 to build dedicated express lanes and two new park-and-ride facilities along Highway 99 north of Beltline Road, a move that will establish Santa Clara as Eugene’s newest commuter suburb.

The project arrives as Lane County’s population grows by 1,800 residents a year and downtown office occupancy climbs past 84 percent, pushing workers to seek housing within a 20-minute ride of the core. Without the upgrade, daily commutes on the existing two-lane Highway 99 already average 34 minutes during peak hours, according to 2025 traffic counts released by the city’s Public Works Department.

The new service will stop at the existing Santa Clara Community Park on River Road and at a fresh 420-space lot at the intersection of Highway 99 and Irving Road. Riders will reach the Lane Transit District hub at 11th Avenue and Willamette Street in 14 minutes, then connect to the EmX line serving the University of Oregon campus and the Whiteaker neighborhood’s tech offices.

Planned Housing Response

Three developers have already filed site plans for 1,150 attached homes and apartments on 68 acres between River Road and Highway 99. The largest proposal, from local firm Roaring River Development, calls for 480 units priced from $312,000 to $395,000, with construction slated to begin in March 2027. City records show the parcels currently carry a combined assessed value of $14.2 million and will be rezoned from rural residential to mixed-use corridor under the updated 2026 comprehensive plan.

Median sale prices in the Santa Clara census tract stood at $379,500 in May 2026, up 9 percent from the same month last year, per Lane County assessor data. Real-estate agents report multiple offers on homes within two blocks of the future park-and-ride lots, with closing times averaging 11 days.

Next Steps for Buyers and Commuters

Residents interested in the area can review preliminary route maps and park-and-ride layouts on the Lane Transit District website or attend the open house scheduled for August 12 at the Santa Clara Elementary School cafeteria. The district will accept public comments through September 15 before finalizing station locations. Construction on the express lanes is expected to start in October 2026 and finish by December 2027, with revenue service beginning in February 2028.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.